Related Articles

Forget about the typical tropical vacation on white-sand beaches with hordes of other tourists crowding the area. Discover the wonder of Costa Rica's surprisingly beautiful black-sand beaches. While white-sand beaches are formed from corral deposits, their black-sand cousins are the product of lava deposits from the country's more than 50 volcanoes. The fine black sand rimmed by jungles, towns and fishing villages on one side and backed by ocean views worthy of postcards on the other put some of the black-sand beaches in Costa Rica on par with those in more famous destinations, such as Hawaii.

Playa Negra: Puerto Viejo

Playa Negra is located on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in the region of Limon, and perhaps is the best example of the country's black-sand beaches. The sand here truly is black, and can reach high temperatures during the summer -- so wearing sandals is a must. If you get too hot, the gentle waters of the Caribbean are just a quick dash across the sand. The beach is located about 25 miles south of the popular beach town of Cahuita, where the reggae vibe reminds visitors to slow down and enjoy life like the locals.

Playa Negra: Los Pargos

This beach was made famous in the iconic surf movie "Endless Summer II." The volcanic beaches here are home to some of the country's best surfing conditions. It is located on the Pacific side of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste region to the northwest. The beach is near the town of Los Pargos, and has become popular both in the surf community and general tourism circles for its natural beauty as well as its proximity to upscale resorts.

Playa Panama

Playa Panama is located in Culebra Bay to the north of Los Pargos in the Papagayo region. The black-sand beach of this protected cove is excellent for swimming or just relaxing on the beach and getting some sun. The beach extends in a semicircle around the cove for about a mile with mesquite, Brazilwood and sarno trees lining the coastline. This once-remote beach now is home to a variety of resorts, including a Four Seasons Hotel complete with a golf course designed by Arnold Palmer.

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa is a few miles south of the town of Jaco in the central Pacific region of Puntarenas. The strong currents here make it slightly dangerous for swimming, but the waves make it one of the country's premier surf spots. The sand here ranges from dark brown to black, with palm trees and beach-hut bars lining the shore. The accommodations near the beach tend to be on the upscale side because of all the tourism generated by the surf community.

Pavones

The Puntarenas region, on the south Pacific coast of the country, is a tourist hot spot because of the largest prehistoric rain forest along the Central American Pacific coast. Add to that the excellent surf conditions, and it is easy to see why the black sands of Pavones appeal to a wide range of visitors. With green waters providing a stark contrast to the dark shores, and its westerly orientation, this beach is an excellent place to enjoy an amazing Costa Rica sunset.

About the Author

Kenrick Callwood has been involved in Internet marketing since 2007 and his work has appeared in numerous online publications. His main areas of expertise are psychology, travel and Internet marketing. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from California Polytechnic University.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.